There has been a dramatic increase in the number of Scottish textiles companies launching their own shops during the past two years, a survey has revealed.

In 2005 only 25 per cent of Scottish textile companies had retail outlets but now almost half of them have announced plans to open stores, including Lochcarron of Scotland, Johnstons Cashmere and Mackintosh.

Lochcarron opened its first branded retail outlet next to its manufacturing facility in Selkirk, which is soon to be followed by a new store in Mayfair in London, while Johnstons of Elgin is also investing £1.5million in a new Retail and Heritage Centre.

Mackintosh already has flagship stores in London and Tokyo but is planning to expand its overseas presence with plans for new stores in New York and Moscow and other key cities in Europe and Asia over the next three to five years.